Meet Janice Lopez who was born and raised in Palm Springs and she currently works for the City of Palm Springs in the Parks and Recreation Department. Palm Springs is truly like no place else, and the same should be said about its employees.
Her current title is Program Coordinator, or as she is better known in the office, the “Jack of all Trades.” Janice may have one job title in the department, but she is skilled in coordinating many responsibilities. She oversees the City’s film permits and downtown banners, Parks and Recreation Department social media sites, the department’s page on the City website, and provides any assistance needed with City special events, such as parades. So, don’t be surprised if on Veteran’s Day you see her out in the middle of the road yelling and directing traffic in a bright, yellow reflective vest, or dressed up in an elf costume for Breakfast with Santa. During her 16-year career with the City, Janice has been a Union Shop Steward for 10 years and is always fighting for the underdogs. She was instrumental in the recent negotiations between the City and the Union in making sure the General Unit employees received a fair and dependable contract.
One of her lifetime goals has been to be involved in a film that “makes it to the big film festivals.” Janice has been attending the Palm Springs International Film Festival since the age of 16 and has fallen in love with indie films, or any type of films for that matter. In 2018, she received Employee of the Year for the state of California, from the California on Location Film Awards, for her assistance on the Lady Gaga film, “A Star is Born.”
Outside of work JLo, as she is referred by friends and family, spends most of her time enjoying movies, hiking, traveling, and sitting on the couch with her fur babies, which include 2 dogs and a cockatiel.
